Our Mission

The mission of Hangin' on Faith (HoF) Ministry is to provide hope and encouragement to people who are facing difficult situations such as medical concerns, divorce, death, etc. We rely on our faith in Jesus Christ to help us "hang on" when the trials of life confront us. We reach out to share real experiences to others in need. You can go beyond the website for a more personal experience by communicating with us through email or even personal conversations in most cases.

Hangin on Faith was incorporated as a not-for-profit North Carolina corporation in 2008. We are now an approved 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. It is not a membership organization. All are welcome to volunteer and participate in our ministry, pray for us, join our mailing lists, purchase and wear our products, and contribute to our database of faith-based stories.


History

The seeds of Hangin' on Faith Ministry were sown in 1998 when our founder, Kathy Wood was diagnosed with high risk breast cancer at the young age of 32. She faced 3 surgeries, chemotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. Her faith in Jesus Christ and the prayers of many people enabled her to cope with the ongoing treatment and uncertainties. Even before she finished her treatments, she was sharing her cancer experiences and faith with other breast cancer patients. One woman three time zones away called her late at night to talk and pray together. Kathy has always been willing to provide information and encouragement. In November of 2002, Kathy began having frightening seizures.

The doctors discovered she had 2 tumors in her brain. The treatment looked bleak. The good news was that, another of her doctor's patients with breast cancer that ended up in her brain, had lived 26 months. The even better news is Kathy didn't agree with that timeline! During this new battle, because of one of the treatments, high dose steroids, she spent many sleepless nights. She had a web journal which she wrote on those long nights. The website was read worldwide and had hundreds of hits daily. People were hungry to hear from her. Through it all, Kathy shared her love, her story and her faith with anyone and everyone. [Read Kathy's story]

After Kathy finished all the treatments, she took a stained glass class. In that class, she designed an image that she felt represented her: a person with cancer who had survived by Hangin' on Faith, her own or sometimes other's faith. Her husband had a pendant made using her design. When people saw it, they encouraged her to sell copies of it. So, she started doing this as a business in late 2007. In 2008, she realized with the help of friends that she was more interested in helping others discover the faith that can help us endure life's challenges than in selling jewelry. She invited people to help her spread the message worldwide of how by Hangin' on Faith we can persevere during life's difficult times. The Hangin' on Faith Ministry was incorporated and began to grow.....


Leadership Board

  • Kathy Wood, Founder & President
  • Jim Martin
  • Della Hasekamp
  • Deborah Boring
  • James Bernstien